[center][abbr=Octopath Travelers][img]https://i.ibb.co/88KWNj5/OTbanner.png[/img][/abbr]
[sup]____________________________________________________[/sup]
[color=FFC6C6][u]Level[/u]: [b]10[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 190/100[/color] [color=2e2c2c]------[/color] [color=BC8DBF][u]Level[/u]: [b]7[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 241/70[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color] [color=2e2c2c]----------------------------[/color] [color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color]
[color=gray](both holding 1 level up)[/color]
[color=lightgray]Word Count: 964 (+2 exp)
[b]Location[/b]: The Under[/color][/center]
F escaped again. 

At the very least the encounter cemented the fact that the Consuls were unapologetic villains, if the Seekers' past experiences hadn't already. F had admitted that to him, and probably the rest of his ilk, people were just playthings. Primrose sighed, her magic fading from her grip. She was angry, but she didn't think chasing down the Consul would be fruitful. It hadn't been before. 

Therion scrubbed a hand over his face, shoving the high collar of his poncho down as he did. He probably should have expected that. Probably should have just let Primrose or Jesse take the Consul out. For a thief, Therion liked to think he wasn't much of a bad guy - but growing up the way he did, he'd never felt very strongly about leaving people to get their just desserts. He knew that F deserved whatever sentence his companions wanted to deliver, but one or more of the spirits he'd absorbed must have changed his morals a little. Next time (because he was sure they'd have the misfortune to run into him again), he'd have to squash the squirming feeling of right and wrong.

On the bright side, in his initial panic F [i]had[/i] given them some information. Sectonia was quick to point this out, even going so far as to recap everything the Consul had actually said versus what the queen had extrapolated from those words. The sudden deluge of information, presented like a lesson, was so reminiscent of Professor Albright that both Primrose and Therion noted it. When combined with Ms. Fortune's simple puns, the former's lips curled up in a slight smile, alleviating some of her frustration and the latter huffed out a brief, quiet laugh. 

[color=BC8DBF]"Did she get even more full of herself?"[/color] Therion said as an amused aside to his fellow thief Ms. Fortune when the queen implied that only a couple among the group could infer what she had from F's answers. He did listen to her explanation though, as did Primrose, though the dancer tilted her head slightly at some of the assumptions the queen made. 

It was a lot to think about... for later. When Ms. Fortune put the question out on where to go next, Sectonia took the words right out of Primrose's mouth. 

[color=D34C25]"I wholeheartedly agree,"[/color] she said, nodding at the queen. She knew she could count on Sectonia for luxury, and they'd visited spas together a couple of times now. Hopefully it could become a tradition. [color=D34C25]"Once we get back above ground again, we'll find a nice place to relax. Or perhaps we can use the trains to head back over to Gerudo Town, their hot spring was lovely."[/color] 

Therion rolled his eyes, recalling that Gerudo Town didn't allow men into the city. If they went back there he'd be stuck in that little oasis inn again, along with the rest of the guys in their group, but he didn't really care enough to bring it up and ruin in his friend's much wanted spa trip. 

It turned out that the Seekers would be down one woman for their potential hot springs stay, as Jesse had other business to attend to. The sudden announcement of her departure surprised the Travelers, though Primrose had known it would happen at some point. A while ago, Jesse mentioned she had friends already out there in the world, and after tracking down and defeating one of Galeem's Guardians there was no better time to return to them.

Primrose smiled warmly at Jesse. Since meeting her, Primrose had found her strange sense of humor coupled with her decisiveness and her casual attitude in the face of the unknown made her enjoyable to be around. [color=D34C25]"Likewise,"[/color] she said to the Director, in hopes that they'd see each other again. [color=D34C25]"I'm glad we met. I'm not sure how far apart the Linkpearls can work, but try calling if you need anything."[/color]

[color=BC8DBF]"Gee, thanks,"[/color] Therion said to Jesse. His tone was sarcastic, but there was an expression that passed as a grin on his face. [color=BC8DBF]"See ya."[/color]

Parting like this would normally be a little sad, but considering the other comrades the Seekers had met along the way would disappear mysteriously or meet an early end, a proper goodbye for once was nice.

After Jesse left for the Metro, giving her answer for "what next," Primrose figured that would be the next stop for the rest of them as well. Like she'd said before, she very much was looking forward to getting out of the underground and getting a proper wash, a good soak, some nice food... but there was something else she wanted to do here before she left. One last loose thread.

[color=D34C25]"Before we go... when we were all separated early on, the Koopas and I met an old king. He was already freed from Galeem when we met him, and he'd been forced to work for the Consuls. He had a lot of knowledge, and promised to share it once we succeeded in our mission."[/color] Primrose honestly couldn't remember how much of this they'd told the others before. About Asgore, the Flame Clock they'd seen, the timeline of the world, or any of that before meeting again in the Home of Tears. [color=D34C25]"Now that it's done, I want to meet with him again. Since the Guardian was inside of that host, I'm not sure how much of the Under was freed from Galeem when it died... if any of it. We'll tell him about the Guardian, P, and F. In exchange, the truth."[/color]

Of course, "we" would be herself and anyone else that wanted to come with her to this meeting. She certainly wouldn't begrudge any of the other Seekers from getting back into the sunlight as quickly as possible.